In search of a second world title in U17 after that gleaned in 2001 by the generation of Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Anthony Le Tallec, Jean-Luc Vannuchi’s French team qualified for the semi-finals of the Cup of the U17 world by beating Uzbekistan (1-0).
For this quarter-final, the coach made six changes compared to the round of 16 against Senegal (0-0, 5 to 3 on the tab) with the start of the two full-backs Nhoa Sangui (Reims) and Yoram Zague (PSG) , Nolan Ferro (Strasbourg) in the middle and the attacking trio Tidiane Diallo (Strasbourg), Joan Tincres (Monaco) and Mohamed-Amine Bouchenna (Clermont). On the other hand, no Yanis Issoufou, provisionally suspended by FIFA for having participated in qualifying in the Niger jersey.
The goal scored on the first opportunity on target
After a first quarter of an hour marked by the influence of the Bleuets, the activity of Ferro and the numerous movements initiated in particular by Diallo, Tincres, launched in depth, obtained the first real opportunity but he was stopped after dribbling past the goalkeeper at the entrance to the area (17th). There will then be the incursions into the area by Saïmon Bouabré (Monaco) (37th), Tincres (43rd) and Bouchenna (45th+2) but the only shot on target in the first period was the work of Uzbek Yakhyo Urinboev , whose diving header was diverted for a corner by Le Havre goalkeeper Paul Argney (45th + 3).
In the second half, we had to wait until the hour mark to see the Bleuets endanger the Uzbek defense, but Sangui’s long shot was deflected by the goalkeeper and, on the corner, Tincres first found the post, recovered the ball and missed the target (61st). Four minutes later, Amirbek Saidov deceived Argney, but the VAR confirmed the offside signaled by the assistant.
France again hit the bar on a header from Mathis Lambourde (Rennes), who came on the field twelve minutes earlier, but the ball was taken back victoriously by the opportunistic Valenciennes Ismail Bouneb (1-0, 83rd). First shot on target out of 24 shots, first goal and qualification validated after a decisive save from Argney (90th+9). France will meet the winner of Mali-Morocco on Tuesday (1 p.m.) in the semi-finals.
11
The French under-17 team remains on a series of 11 matches without having conceded a single goal. His last goal conceded dates back to May 30, against Spain (3-1) in the semi-finals of the Euro.
